how do you play AK against maniacs?

**dissata** · 03-02-2009

Originally Posted by kavelot

in fact that's what I usually do, but the problem is some maniacs are playing anything, not just Ax Kx, so he may have Q8s, 96...
in that case, it's hard to play post-flop in case you miss it
how you deal with that if you miss the flop and he makes a big raise?

if you or him are all in pre-flop there is no more decisions to make, even if you miss (which I certainly hope you don't just to spite the guy). you have the best hand preflop against anything but pocket pairs and you are ~ even money against all of them but KK AA. so, unless you think that for some reason this particular raise means something, put him on a decision for all his chips. and if he bites, hope that what will probably be the best preflop will hold up.

That, or just don't play with him. go to another table.

**kavelot** · 03-02-2009

Originally Posted by dissata

if you or him are all in pre-flop there is no more decisions to make, even if you miss (which I certainly hope you don't just to spite the guy). you have the best hand preflop against anything but pocket pairs and you are ~ even money against all of them but KK AA. so, unless you think that for some reason this particular raise means something, put him on a decision for all his chips. and if he bites, hope that what will probably be the best preflop will hold up.

That, or just don't play with him. go to another table.

so
AK = raise 100xBB?

**dissata** · 03-02-2009

only if you want the maniac to calm down.

**Xopods** · 03-02-2009

Depends on what kind of maniac he is... if he's a super-idiot maniac who's raising any 22+ and A2o+ and will get it all-in preflop with those hands, then you probably reraise. If he's a slightly lesser idiot who will raise those hands but fold them to a 3-bet, then flat him preflop and do whatever you can to trap him all-in if you flop TPTK or better. If he's a proper LAG who's playing SCs and the like, then you want to reraise strongly preflop to make the pot big enough that your reverse implied odds are not bad if you do hit an A or K.

**davidab157** · 03-04-2009

Try and get him to stack off pre with dominated hands or failing that, try and see showdowns when you miss the board if he's the type to spew off with K high. If you hit you can try to trap them or if they are the maniacal calling type, just pot pot pot.

**StraightotheAce** · 03-04-2009

Palm the ace, throw the king in the muck, wait for another ace, and then you're a winner!

Seriously tho, play back at him, he'll hate it. Before the flop mainly. On rag boards carefully, on Axx/Kxx boards ship it.

**Brokerstar** · 03-06-2009

If he's in every hand then 3 bet pre flop as you are ahead of his range and you're betting for value.

Post flop play will depend on the board texture and if you're in or out of position.

I find with maniacs that over play and bluff a lot I would actually lean towards playing a flopped made hand more passivly as this will induce the red flag in them and get them trying to bluff you.

I bet big against calling stations that never fold, a maniac is more likely to stack off at the sign of weakness with total air.

Broker

**diemos** · 03-10-2009

either way, if you think you have a better hand or you DO have a better hand, in a long run you should win. only if you go all in preflop that is. Once you see the flop, its all different game.

**patriotsfan** · 09-05-2009

<Fold because you have Ace high>

Well sure - but then they can steal an AK raised pot 2/3 of the time..... Makes playing anything other than AA, KK, and QQ inneffective.

I don't think simply folding is the answer here.

**shane** · 09-12-2009

Ace King verses a random hand, usually who ever flops a pair will win.

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